Philippines, China execs meet to de-escalate conflict

BEIJING / MANILA, Philippines – The Philippines and China have agreed to improve maritime communication and to properly manage conflicts and differences through friendly talks on issues around the South China Sea, their respective foreign ministries said.

Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) Undersecretary Theresa Lazaro and China’s Assistant Foreign Minister Nong Rong held a frank and in-depth exchange of views on the situation while co-chairing the eighth meeting of the China-Philippines Bilateral Consultation Mechanism on the South China Sea in Shanghai on Wednesday, according to statements released by the two parties.

In the talks, the two sides reaffirmed that the South China Sea dispute is “not the whole story of bilateral relations,” the Chinese foreign ministry said in a statement released late Wednesday.

The two countries have had numerous confrontations recently in certain disputed waters in the South China Sea, with both trading accusations of provoking conflict in the economically strategic waterway, including charges that China rammed a ship last month carrying the chief of the Armed Forces of the Philippines. China said its operation was “professional, reasonable and legal.”

Beijing claims sovereignty over almost the entire South China Sea, including parts of the exclusive economic zones of Brunei, Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines and Vietnam. The Philippines calls its side of the vast sea lane West Philippine Sea.

Both officials believe “maintaining communication and dialogue is essential to maintaining maritime peace and stability,” the Chinese foreign ministry said.

In the Jan. 17 statement released yesterday, the DFA said both sides “agreed to calmly deal with incidents, if any, through diplomacy.”

The two sides also voiced commitment to prevent tensions over the Ayungin (Second Thomas) Shoal from escalating.

“Both sides presented their respective positions on the Ayungin Shoal and assured each other of their mutual commitment to avoid escalation of tensions,” the DFA said.

Chinese coast guard and maritime militia vessels have had heated and dangerous run-ins in that area, as China becomes more assertive in pressing its maritime claims.

Relations have been strained for months, but both have reiterated a commitment to dialogue. Both said in the meeting they would advance practical maritime cooperation, “so as to create favorable conditions for the sound and stable development of China-Philippines relations,” according to the Chinese foreign ministry.

On Tuesday, China summoned Manila’s ambassador and warned the country “not to play with fire” after President Marcos congratulated Taiwan’s president-elect Lai Ching-te on his election victory on Saturday.

Lai thanked Marcos for his message, saying he deeply values the enduring friendship between Taiwan and the Philippines. Nearly 200,000 Filipinos live and work in Taiwan.

‘Steer a right course’

The remarks made by Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson Mao Ning did not sit well with Defense Secretary Gilbert Teodoro Jr. who on Wednesday accused the official of insulting Marcos, stooping to what he called “low and gutter-level talk.”

China demanded that the Philippines earnestly abide by the one-China principle.

At a Chinese New Year party in Manila hosted by the Chinese embassy, Ambassador Huang Xilian urged Manila “steer a right course for its policy vis-a-vis China and work together to bring back the bilateral relations back on track as soon as possible.”

In his remarks, Huang said the “China-Philippines relations now stand at a crossroads, facing a choice of where to go from here.”

He stressed the need for maintaining a sound and steady development of the relations between the two countries.  “So we need to make a good choice,” Huang said.

The ambassador stressed that the Taiwan issue is China’s internal affairs and lies at the core of its interests, which it treats with “extremely high sensitivity.” He stressed the one-China policy is the political basis of Beijing’s diplomatic relations with Manila.

“We should strengthen instead of shaking such foundation,” Huang said.

China, he said, hopes that the “Philippines will stay committed to the one-China policy pursued by previous administrations since the establishment of diplomatic ties between the two countries and respect China’s internal affairs and handle the Taiwan question prudently so as to maintain a healthy and stable China-Philippine relations.”